The Student News Site of Foothill Technology High School

The Foothill Dragon Press
The Student News Site of Foothill Technology High School

The Foothill Dragon Press
The Student News Site of Foothill Technology High School

The Foothill Dragon Press

Amelia Gerk, Illustrator

Class of ‘26 | Senior illustrator who loves painting, music and fashion. 

All content by Amelia Gerk
Warm spices and short days. This isn't just fall; it's the warm feeling in your chest when, for a second, everything feels right. Three meals — ratatouille, arroz con leche and a chicken dinner — are reviewed on taste, comfort and ease of cooking.

[Photo] A Taste of Fall at Foothill

Katelyn Newman, Writer
November 13, 2025
How has the crime drama genre changed over the past couple of decades? From the hands-on, action-driven series of the early 2000s to today's popularity of cold case documentaries, crime drama series have clearly evolved with audiences' interests.

[Photo] What happened to good crime drama?

Layla Solomon
November 14, 2025
Off-year elections – let's talk. From Proposition 50 to Zohran Mamdani to Virginia electing its first female governor, there is no shortage of political conversation nationwide. For some, the outcomes were all wins; for others, all losses; and for many, a mix of both. The prevailing takeaway of the elections? Polarization in America continues to grow.

[Photo] News Brief: Election Day brings success for the Democrats

Oliver Kelley, Writer
November 5, 2025
How are the Dragons of Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) celebrating Halloween? This holiday is rich with different cultures coming together and creating something new. Everyone celebrates in their own way, but classic Dragon favorites are watching scary movies, trick-or-treating and hanging out with friends.

[Photo] Dragons reflect on Halloween traditions

Bari Davis, Writer
October 14, 2025
It is no secret that social media has woven its way into the daily life of many, but how is it affecting Dragons at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech)? How has it shifted the social scene? Does screen time impact performance inside and outside of school? Interviews with students and staff help shed light on these questions.

[Photo] Digital Dragons and social media at Foothill Tech

Elizabeth Geib, Writer
October 5, 2025
As the new school year settles in, it becomes clear to returning students that some things never change — one of those being the infamous lunch line, notoriously long and full. It is the last hurdle for students, as well as staff, to get food.

Cartoon 119: The lunch line

Amelia Gerk, Illustrator
September 23, 2025
As the 2025–26 school year kicks off, one difference definitely stands out. The long-loved student information platform, Q Connect, has been phased out and replaced by Aeries. For some, this is a welcome advancement, while others miss the familiar format of Q Connect. This change has not only affected students and parents but also teachers, who now face extra work transferring data between the two very different programs. Whatever the consensus on the switch, it is clear that mastering Aeries will be a learning curve for all.

[Photo] New student portal Aeries launches off the 2025-2026 school year

Natalie St. Pierre, Reporter
September 3, 2025
The history of pride month. Not only is June the half way point of the year, but it also is Pride Month. A celebration of all different forms of queer across the globe. It is important to recognize the struggles that the LGBTQIA+ have gone through in the past centuries, and even, today. Queer culture can be seen everywhere and has enriched history. This large community stands together to be celebrated during the month of Pride.

[Photo] The history of Pride Month

Julia Brossia, Writer
June 8, 2025
As ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence (AI) tools take a front seat in day to day life, it's important to ask, what's the impact? AI is helping in many capacities. It is the newest search engine, the smartest and only getting smarter. It is tracking carbon and methane emissions and helping to keep climate change in check. However, does AI also play a part in the acceleration of climate change? To run these huge AI programs, it takes an enormous quantity of resources and money. Big data centers have to be built, and then these data centers require extensive amounts of water and energy to function. Inevitably, the consumption of these precious resources adds up over time.

[Photo] Opinion: Is AI bad for the environment?

Morgan Houston and Julia Brossia
May 20, 2025
Where do monsters come from? Where did these urban legends originate, and how have they changed? Whether they reside in the shadows in your closet or under the bed, monsters were made for a reason. They were made to teach lessons and cope with things that were hard to understand at the time. Parents would tell stories of their untrue nature to protect their kids from real world threats. Even in the modern day when some of these previous questions have been answered, people still find comfort in horror movies and games.

[Photo] What do the monsters we make tell us about ourselves?

Kellen Spears, writer
May 5, 2025
A Minecraft movie. A new take on an old game. This movie had many jokes and surprising turns that led to a great feel and watch. This movie features Jack Black as Steve, Jason Momoa as Garett, Emma Myers as Natalie, Sebastian Eugene Hansen as Henry and Danielle Brooks as Dawn. This action adventure movie received a rating of 46% on rotten tomatoes and a 6/10 on IMDb. The true interest that surrounded this movie was the online hype. Many clips from opening day were released showing people yelling quotes from the movie, ¨chicken jockey¨. ¨flint and steel¨, ¨I am Steve¨, and throwing popcorn as well. The excitement was tangible.

[Photo] “A Minecraft Movie”: “A chaotic, blocky blast that somehow works”

Kalea Eggertsen, Writer
April 13, 2025
March; Woman's History Month. What started as just a single week in March, grew into something much bigger, it's a month that celebrates everything that woman have done for the world. It didn't start to really take root till the 1980s where it then became widespread. March has much more to offer than just a middle man from winter to spring, it is a time to celebrate the women in your life.

[Photo] The history of Women’s History Month

Kalea Eggertsen, Writer
March 31, 2025
February: also known as Black History Month. Many people may know that it is Black History Month, but where did it start? What is the history behind it? This month-long celebration originally started only as a week, "Negro History Week". Carter G. Woodson believed that people of color were overlooked by historians, so he took charge in changing that. He placed "Negro History Week" in February to correspond with the birthdays of President Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both of which helped change the United States for African Americans.

[Photo] The History of Black History month

Kellen Spears, Writer
February 26, 2025
As Valentine's Day passes, it is time for some refreshing anti "love" media. There is no holiday more split than Valentine's Day, and it is time for a change of pace. This list of movies may solidify some beliefs that love isn't real or maybe it just wasn't meant to be in this life-time/time-line. Get a blanket, a stuffed animal, some half-off chocolate and watch your feelings away.

[Photo] An Anti-Valentine’s Day film guide

Morgan Houston, Writer
February 18, 2025
The Grammy 2025 recap! The Grammy is a top tier award given to all sorts of different music artists various different genres. It is not only sought after as an award, but as an experience. The Grammys feature live music, with some of this year's live performances including guest artists such as, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish and Charlie XCX.

[Photo] 67th Annual Grammy Awards recap

Bailey Basurto, Reporter
February 16, 2025
As Valentine's Day rolls around again, it's time to step back from a day that has been widely considered a romantic holiday and think of others you love. One popular way to celebrate Valentines is through doing a "Galentines," where instead of romantic company, you focus on just hanging around with friends and enjoying each other's company. It's a time to appreciate everyone you love, from family to friends, to future love, there is a place for everyone to celebrate Valentine's.

Cartoon 118: Valentine’s Day

Amelia Gerk, Illustrator
February 14, 2025
As more people move to Ventura Calif., there has been a rising issue coming with it: gentrification. Many find the beautiful coastal view as a desirable place to live, leading to the price of living increasing so much that it has started to price people out. Long term residents and families that have living in Ventura for decades are being forced out of the area.

[Photo] Gentrification and its impacts on Ventura

Morgan Houston, Writer
February 9, 2025
As 2025 pushes along its time to remember the New Year resolutions that may have been so soon forgotten. Whether it was learning a new language, or trying a new sport, eating more healthy, maybe spend less? It can't hurt to try it all at once, right? They hit the ground running but eventually always burn out by February. Don't worry though, you always have next year.

[Photo] Satire: “New Year, New Me”

Ella Asher, Writer
February 5, 2025
Carlos Moreno is the athletic equipment attendant at Foothill Technology. He is an key part of Foothill Tech's athletic program and no matter what school sport a student may do they will always be assisted by him in some way. Whether it is a jersey pick up or taking a school issued van, Carlos is behind it. He is an cherished part of Foothill Tech's atmosphere.

[Photo] Hidden Heroes: Foothill Athletics’ MVP of the year, Carlos Moreno

Jane Kim, Writer
January 13, 2025
Specialized AI has become common in classrooms across the globe, much to the dismay of many teachers and school officials. It has become so common that teachers have started to integrate more in class assignments and essays into the course. To some, this seems like the right call to make, but it can end up being more of a punishment to the students who had not been using AI. It may also be hard for the students to catch up to the new workload, not having seen it in previous years. Teachers, trying to combat this, have started to move more to paper in hopes of limiting the amount of cheating and is one of the many factes of the battle between students and teachers over AI.

[Photo] Opinion: Is the growing use of AI in schools a failure of students or teachers?

Aubrey Alderman, Reporter
January 14, 2025
How much is to much? Even with rush into Christmas decor and holiday music it has become clear that, in some way or another, the holidays have began to fade. The infamous "Black Friday" has started to just be a memory, being traded in for online shopping or just fully being traded out. As "Cyber Monday" starts to take the forefront of post thanksgiving shopping, it can easily influence the top season products.

[Photo] Opinion: Over-commercialization has taken over the ho-ho-holiday season

Audrey Szijj and Fiona Aulenta
December 25, 2024
At the winter holidays approach, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) held its annual candy cane drive. Candy canes, the perfect holiday treat, were dispersed in decorated jars in every science classroom, from Mrs. Anderson to Mr. Weldele. Students in these classes were encouraged to donate a dollar and receive one of these treats in return, a donation that goes to the National Marrow Donor Program, formerly known as Be The Match.

[Photo] Sweet with a twist: The annual candy cane drive at Foothill Tech

Shea Stevenson, Reporter
December 17, 2024
"Wicked" first went on Broadway on October 3, 2008. It was a smash hit and went on to continue to perform for the next 20 years with no end in sight. It was clear people loved it so when it was a live action adaption was announced and no one was surprised. "Wicked" the movie released in theaters November 22, 2024, and was, again, another huge hit. It made $366 million on a $150 million budget. With a 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, it is certified fresh. And with Wicked Part 2 coming in 2025, this is a must watch movie.

[Photo] Behind the scenes of “Wicked”: 2024’s long-awaited musical shatters box office records

Kalea Eggertsen, Writer
December 15, 2024
When you click "I agree" to all those terms and agreements, what does it really mean? Are those targeted ads just a bit too targeted? Although there is no definitive evidence that phones are listening to us and our every conversation, it is not completely far fetched. The mix between location data, search history and frequented sites lets algorithms get a good idea of what you are interested in and what gets your attention. This often manifests itself as targeted ads, recommended videos and recommend accounts.

[Photo] Opinion: How much do our devices actually know?

Audrey Szijj, Writer
December 6, 2024
"We Live in Time" is a 2024 film featuring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh. This romantic comedy explores the difficulties of living with a cancer diagnosis, yet still trying to make the most of the time you have together. Experimenting with non-linear storytelling, the movie makes you piece together the story through its various scenes. It came out to mixed critical reviews, with generally positive audience reception.

[Photo] Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield stun in A24’s latest romance film

Morgan Houston, Writer
November 25, 2024
The republican party, Donald Trump (running for president) and JD Vance (running for VP) are hoping to win the election. If they do, it would be the second time Trump was president in the past ten years. Trump has been using his prior presidency to help his movement and gain support. He also has been using his rallies to sway people stuck in between the candidates.

[Photo] The 2024 Republican candidate and running mate

Jane Kim, Writer
October 9, 2024
Since sports have been around (forever) there has been misogyny, no matter how small or how blatant. It has been proven that, yes, male athletes have a physical advantage. They out perform female athletes, in a similar training states, by about 10-30%. Female athletes also claim that their period can effect how they perform. It has been disproved that a woman´s menstrual cycle negatively effects their performance physically, but it can also effect their emotional well being. It can be harder for female athletes to keep a good attitude and stay positive when on their periods.

[Photo] Through a rocky past: The dilemma of the female athlete

Kalea Eggertsen, Writer
October 15, 2024
“Short n’ Sweet” is Sabrina Carpenter’s sixth studio album release. Primarily a pop album, it’s fun and catchy, diving deep into Carpenter's love life and other personal events. In this article, writer, Emmanuel Takaya details the various songs that make up this album, while also giving a personal rating to each one.

[Photo] Album Anatomy: “Short n’ Sweet”

Emmanuel Takaya, Writer
September 30, 2024
“Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion” is a documentary that came out in April, 2024. This documentary touched on many things, including the racism and bodyism that is a foundation in the Brandy Melville company, as well as their problematic sizing and questionable ethical choices. The Brandy Melville company uses “one size fits all/most” which is, for the most part, not true. This harmful sizing makes it seem like if you don't fit, you are the problem and that it makes you different from the people who can fit into this unrealistic standard. This is even more harmful when you take into consideration the targeted age demographic: middle and high school girls. This documentary also shows a day in one of the biggest second hand markets in Ghana, highlighting the over consumption of clothes and how fast fashion is impacting people all over the world.

[Photo] Opinion: “Brandy Hellville, & the Cult of Fast Fashion”

Audrey Szijj, Writer
September 15, 2024
The diminishing focus in the day to day life is affecting everyone, especially Generation Z (Gen Z) and Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha). People have started noticing that they are not able to pay attention for long periods of time, making daily tasks and school much harder. Even sitting down to watch a movie or show can be a struggle. The big question is, why? Amber Duhs will explore this question in her article.

[Photo] Opinion: The death of a generation’s attention span

Amber Duhs, Writer
September 2, 2024
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Amelia Gerk